EFFECT OF SOLAR RADIATION AND MULCHING MATERIALS ON WET AND DRY SOIL HEATING

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of solar radiation on soil temperature in the case of using different materials named organic mulching (rice straw and bare soil) and inorganic ones (black and colourless plastic mulches). The difference between upper and lower-surface mulch element temperature is measured under these materials. Regression analysis between net radiation flux incident on each mulch material and temperature differences show that high significant occurred with black, colourless plastic and rice straw mulching materials. Also, bare soil after irrigation appeared the same trend. In general, the coefficient of determination (R2) ranged between 0.51 and 0.80 with black plastic, 0.50 and 0.88 with colourless plastic, 0.50 and 0.89 with rice straw mulch, 0.62 and 0.81 with bare soil. The mulching materials arranged according to the net solar radiation flux incident on each mulch material in order: Rn, black > Rn, wet bare soil > Rn, dry bare soil > Rn, rice straw and Rn, white plastic.